Guided Tours of the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist National Historic Site of Canada
The Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a National Historic Site of Canada, and its builder, Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming (1792-1850) is a Person of National Historic Significance of Canada. The Basilica was the largest and earliest neoclassical (Lombard Romanesque style) Roman Catholic cathedral built by the Irish diaspora anywhere in the world in the first half of the 19th century. It is an integral part of the Ecclesiastical District of St. John’s, and part of an aspiring World Heritage Site. It is a profound statement of faith and culture, one of the greatest architectural treasures of Canada. It is the largest cathedral church in Canada. It is the 85th largest church in the world. Its radiant stained glass windows, the largest handcrafted plaster ceiling in Canada, the impressive iconography of saints and Gospel stories in statuary and artworks, its very large pipe organ with 4050 pipes, and its exceptionally impressive neoclassical architectural setting all testify to its desire to give glory to God. Our expert guides lead groups through the Basilica and tell the stories of its builders and explain its architecture and symbols, and the heritage of faith it represents.
The Basilica Heritage Foundation (BHF) was founded in 1998 as a Registered Canadian Charity with the mandate to manage, preserve, restore, and interpret the Basilica and its associated buildings and their heritage contents as a National Historic Site of Canada, and as a sacred and magnificent place of faith. In 2024 the BHF purchased the Basilica and now leases its use to the central Roman Catholic Parish of the City of St. John’s, the St. John the Baptist Cathedral Parish.
INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TOURS OF THE BASILICA
IN THE SUMMER SEASON
Basilica opening hours are 10am-4pm. Between mid-June and 1 September, SUMMER SEASON TOURS begin daily (Mon-Sat) at 10 am until 3pm and are subject to the Basilica’s schedule of funerals, weddings, baptisms, and extraordinary liturgies. On Sundays they may begin about 12:30 and run until 3 pm. Tours begin at the Visitors’ Desk at the main entrance to the Basilica. The tour fee for individuals participating in group tours is $10/person. Simply present yourself at the BHF Visitors’ Desk.
OUTSIDE THE SUMMER SEASON
From 1 September to mid June, individual and group tours may be available at rates reflecting our costs of hiring staff to lead tours in the off-season. THESE TOURS MUST BE ARRANGED AND BOOKED AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS IN ADVANCE, BY E-MAIL ONLY, and are completely subject to the Basilica schedule. For rates and booking contact us at bhf.inquiries@thebasilica.net.
The BHF welcomes commercial tour operators (tour buses, coach tours, tour guides, and tourism operators who charge visiting guests for tours) who bring guests to the Basilica. We also have available (by advance reservation only) group tours of the Ecclesiastical District Churches, with options such as Afternoon Tea in the Basilica, special group visits to the Presentation Convent to see Giovanni Strazza’s Veiled Virgin statue, visits to the magnificent Episcopal Library, and other attractions. COMMERCIAL TOUR OPERATORS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEAD INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS THROUGH THE BASILICA ON TOURS. Only the BHF’s guides can lead tours through the Basilica. Reservations are mandatory and visits must be pre-booked and prepaid in advance. To do so please contact us at bhf.inquiries@thebasilica.net. Email confirmation will be provided once pre-payment clears. Commercial tour operators who bring groups to the Basilica without a prepaid reservation will not be admitted or may be asked to leave.
THE FINE PRINT
The Basilica Cathedral is the busiest church in the province and over 520 Masses, liturgies, and unscheduled church services take place there over the course of a year. If a funeral must be scheduled in the Basilica at a time which conflicts with a booked tour, we will work to reschedule the tour at a mutually convenient time, or provide a refund. We regret that tours can not take place in the Basilica during church services.
Video recording is not permitted in the Basilica (because of the terms of our license for broadcasting audio and copyrighted music). Flash photography is not permitted in the Basilica (because of conservation measures in place in this National Historic Site to protect its sensitive painted heritage surfaces). Photography using tripods is not permitted in in the Basilica (insurance policies identify tripods as a trip-hazard). Individual private non-commercial photography, using cameras and cellphones without flashes, is permitted. Commercial photographers wishing to photograph in the Basilica may only do so after agreeing in writing to terms, and after obtaining a specific timeframe license from the BHF. For particulars please contact us at bhf.inquiries@thebasilica.net
If you cancel a booked tour 24 hours or more in advance, there is no charge. Otherwise a cancellation fee of $60 per pre-booked group tour reserved will be charged.